Find DA externship opportunities across New Mexico. Connect with 980+ dental practices, oral surgery centers, and specialty clinics to gain hands-on chairside experience.
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New Mexico Dental Assistant
980+
Dental Facilities
275+
Job Openings
$0
To Enroll
$850
To Complete
Self-Managed Externship: EHired does NOT place, arrange, or supervise externships. You contact dental facilities directly to arrange your own placement. This approach gives you flexibility to choose sites near your home and build direct relationships with potential employers.
A dental assistant externship provides hands-on clinical experience in real dental settings. You'll work alongside licensed dentists and dental hygienists, applying classroom knowledge to actual patient care situations.
Our externship is optional and flexible—you decide when and where to complete it. Many students find that externship experience significantly improves their job prospects, though it's not required to complete our program.
EHired's training prepares you for entry-level dental assistant positions. Professional certifications such as DANB CDA (Certified Dental Assistant) are offered by independent credentialing organizations and are optional but can enhance your credentials when you're ready.
Explore dental facilities across New Mexico that may accept externship students. Contact facilities directly to inquire about externship opportunities.
New Mexico's largest city with UNM and 60% of state dental facilities.
Aspen Dental Albuquerque, Southwest Dental Group, Rio Rancho Family Dental, Corrales Dental, Uptown Dental, Nob Hill Dental, Sandia Dental
UNM Division of Dental Hygiene Clinics, Albuquerque Oral Surgery, New Mexico Orthodontics, Duke City Periodontics, UNM Pediatric Dentistry, Southwest Endodontics
First Nations Community HealthSource Dental, UNM Hospital Dental, Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless Dental, Casa de Salud Dental, First Choice Community Healthcare Dental
💡 Tip: Albuquerque has 60% of NM dental opportunities. UNM provides some dental training. Bilingual Spanish essential throughout. Indian Health Service serves Native communities.
State capital and arts community with regional dental services.
Santa Fe Dental Group, Taos Family Dental, Espanola Dental, Los Alamos Dental Care, Santa Fe Family Dentistry
Santa Fe Oral Surgery, Northern New Mexico Orthodontics, Santa Fe Periodontics, High Desert Pediatric Dentistry
La Clinica de Familia Dental (multiple), El Centro Family Health Dental, Presbyterian Medical Services Dental, Jicarilla Apache Health Dental
💡 Tip: Santa Fe is state capital with arts community. Los Alamos has national laboratory. Taos has tourism. Bilingual Spanish valuable. Native American communities nearby.
Border region with NMSU and access to El Paso, Texas.
Aspen Dental Las Cruces, Las Cruces Family Dental, Mesilla Valley Dental, Anthony Dental, Sunland Park Dental
Las Cruces Oral Surgery, Southern New Mexico Orthodontics, Border Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry of Las Cruces
Ben Archer Health Center Dental, La Clinica de Familia Las Cruces Dental, Hidalgo Medical Services Dental, El Paso dental accessible (TX)
💡 Tip: Las Cruces borders El Paso, Texas—access both states' dental markets. NMSU creates young population. Bilingual Spanish essential for border communities.
Oil/gas and agricultural communities with significant shortages.
Roswell Family Dental, Hobbs Dental Care, Carlsbad Dental, Farmington Dental Group, Clovis Dental, Portales Dental
Eastern New Mexico oral surgery referrals to Albuquerque, limited specialty access, Farmington Oral Surgery
Pecos Valley Medical Center Dental, Nor-Lea Hospital Dental, San Juan Health Partners Dental, Eastern Plains Health Dental
💡 Tip: Rural New Mexico has extreme workforce shortages. Oil/gas communities have industrial workforce. Native American communities in Four Corners region. Incentive packages available.
Identify dental practices, specialty offices, and clinics in your area that interest you.
Call or email office managers to inquire about externship opportunities and requirements.
Arrange hours that work for both parties. Our externship is flexible—no minimum hours required.
Many externships lead directly to job offers. Treat every day as an extended interview.
New Mexico does not require dental assistant licensure for basic duties. Expanded function permits available. Radiography certification required for X-rays. Significant workforce shortages statewide, especially in rural areas.
New Mexico Dental BoardProfessional certifications such as DANB CDA (Certified Dental Assistant) are offered by independent credentialing organizations. These certifications are optional but can enhance your credentials and earning potential.
EHired training prepares you for entry-level positions and helps build the knowledge foundation for pursuing optional certifications when you're ready.
Official salary data, job outlook, and career information for dental assistants.
Visit BLS →State regulations, registration requirements, and scope of practice information.
Visit Board →Dental Assisting National Board—optional professional certifications when you're ready.
Visit DANB →Free training. Flexible externship. Real career opportunities in New Mexico.
$0 to enroll • $850 to complete • Self-paced online training
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